Meet Shirlyn Betts, the Director of Bids & Proposals who oversees all formal proposal processes, process improvement, training, proposal forecasting, staff development, and long-term bid and proposal planning here at Airbus U.S. Space & Defense.

Shirlyn has worked across various industries in administration, human resources, accounting, and production management during her career. She entered the Proposal Management industry unexpectedly when a company offered her a Proposal Manager position instead of the role she initially interviewed for.

“As they say in the industry, ‘Proposal Management finds you, you don’t find it.’ That was exactly the case for me,” she said.

After entering the Proposal Management field, Shirlyn immersed herself in learning industry standards and processes, by earning three certifications from the Association of Proposal Management (APMP).

“My passion for Bids & Proposals just kept growing, and I wanted to share my knowledge with others,” she said.

Since joining Airbus U.S. Space & Defense in 2021, Shirlyn has found the most fulfillment through mentoring and helping others grow professionally.

“I love sharing the knowledge I’ve gained, training others, and mentoring,” she said. “Being able to recognize both strengths and weaknesses in a team, build people up, and create growth opportunities for others is a passion of mine.”

For those starting in her field, Shirlyn’s advice is to stay open to new opportunities.

“Look for those doors that could lead to a career path you never expected,” she said.

Outside of work, Shirlyn enjoys spending time with her husband and three children in Hood River, Or. On a typical weekend, you can find her cheering them on at sports games, helping them rehearse theater lines, or working on a school craft project.